Céline Dion has embarked on her concert residency in Paris after 6 years retired from the stage. The Canadian singer gave her first full concert this Saturday since 2019 at the Plenitude Arena, where she will offer 16 performances until October 17. Then there will be another ten dates planned for spring 2027.
Dion had already reappeared live in recent years, most notably with her performance of ‘Hymne à l’amour’ at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. She also performed at Elie Saab’s fashion show in Riyadh that same year. But Paris marks his return to the stage for a full concert and a much more important return.
Among the first reviews, The Guardian speaks directly of an “exciting” and “triumphant” return, and highlights that Dion continues to retain much of her vocal power, although some songs have had to be adapted to her current voice. Fans are celebrating that Dion has dared to sing live, when “the easiest thing would have been to play back.” It’s not that Dion is known for doing playback, but the bravery of going on stage with her voice slightly changed must be praised.
Critics especially highlight ‘Tout l’or des hommes’, where he once again demonstrates his capacity for big notes, and ‘Courage’, which works better from a more fragile register.
The concert also had some less predictable moments, such as a “very camp” disco section, with covers of Donna Summer and Eurythmics, and even a tribute to Maria Callas. The audience, for its part, responded enthusiastically throughout the night. In ‘Pour que tu m’aimes encore’, for example, the audience sang so loudly that they almost covered Dion herself, reports The Guardian.
The BBC has also compiled the first reactions of the press to her return and agrees in pointing out the emotion of the moment and the singer’s good condition on stage. Among the criticisms collected there is special attention to how Dion has adapted her repertoire to her current situation, but also to the power she still retains when the great vocal moments arrive.
The return to Paris comes after Dion was forced to cancel her ‘Courage’ tour due to stiff person syndrome, a neurological disease that kept her away from the stage for years. The documentary ‘I Am: Celine Dion’ recounted her ordeal and it was overwhelming. Now our hair can stand on end hearing her sing again.
@latinus_us Singer Celine Dion performs the iconic song “My Heart Will Go On” during her first concert back on stage in Paris. #Latinus #InformationForYou ♬ Originalton – Latinus
@gala.fr #celinedion #tiktokmusic #concert #pourquetumaimesencore ♬ they are original – @galafr
@gala.fr #celinedion #tiktokmusic #concert #itsallcomingbacktome ♬ they are original – @galafr
@bfmtv After six years of absence, Céline Dion is back on the scene on September 12 at the Plenitude Arena in Paris. The debut is a concert with the title «On ne change pas». #celinedion #concert #paris ♬ they are original – BFMTV
@latinus_us Céline Dion burst into tears during her first concert in Paris, in which she returned to the stage after six years of absence. #Latinus#InformationForYou ♬ Originalton – Latinus
